Six persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Contribute" today (May 12).During the operation, ImmD officers raided two village houses in a housing estate in Tai Po District and a unit in an industrial building in Kwai Chung District.Five suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. Thearrested suspected illegal workers comprised five men, aged 33 to 45. They were found performing cementing, painting, plumbing and electrical duties. A man aged 30 was suspected of employing the illegal workers and was also arrested.
An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."
The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.
For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 185 185, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.
The Immigration Department mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Contribute" today (May 12). Photo shows suspected illegal workers arrested during an operation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Immigration Department mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Contribute" today (May 12). Photo shows investigators showing items seized during an operation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Immigration Department mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Contribute" today (May 12). Photo shows Senior Immigration Officer Mr Mo Chuen-kit elaborating on the details of the operation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CHP records case of severe paediatric influenza infection
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (October 23) recorded a severe case of paediatric influenza infection. The CHP urged the public not to underestimate the seasonal influenza and to receive vaccinations as early as possible, especially those in high-risk groups, to protect their own health and that of their families. In addition, the public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene at all times to prevent influenza and other respiratory illnesses.
The case involves a 3-year-old boy with underlying health conditions. He developed a fever and cough on October 20. He experienced mild shortness of breath the next day and was taken to a private clinic for treatment. On October 22, his condition worsened, and he was brought to the Accident and Emergency Department of Tuen Mun Hospital. He briefly lost consciousness, but was resuscitated and was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). His respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza A (H1) virus. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with asthma exacerbation, acute necrotising encephalopathy and septic shock. The patient remains hospitalised and is in critical condition.
The CHP's preliminary investigation revealed that the boy travelled to the United States during the incubation period and had not received the 2026/27 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination (SIV). One of his close contacts recently developed mild upper respiratory symptoms that did not require hospitalisation and has recovered. The CHP will continue to investigate the case.
"Hong Kong entered the influenza season in late June this year and the influenza season has lasted for nearly four months by now. Currently, local influenza activity remains at a high level. Over the past four weeks (from September 20 to October 17), the percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for seasonal influenza viruses remained between 10.04 to 11.61 per cent. During the same period, the influenza admission rate in public hospitals also remained between 0.46 and 0.67 cases per 10 000 population. Both indicators were above the respective baseline thresholds of 4.94 per cent and 0.27 cases per 10 000 population. A cumulative total of 26 cases of severe paediatric influenza infection have been recorded in the current influenza season. Among these cases, 20 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospital, two are in serious condition, two are in critical condition, and two have passed away," said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.
"Vaccine effectiveness begins to wane approximately nine months after vaccination. Therefore, the World Health Organization recommends receiving SIV every year. For most people, more than nine months have passed since they received last season's (2025/26) SIV. Hence, a decline in protection is inevitable. A decline in the overall population's herd immunity, coupled with the fact that the current influenza season has persisted at high levels for an extended period, has increased the likelihood of infection and severe complications among high-risk groups. Receiving SIV is the most effective way to prevent severe cases of seasonal influenza and its complications. SIV also reduces the risk of hospitalisation and death. The CHP's analysis of data from the previous year revealed that the rate of severe complications or death among unvaccinated children following influenza infection was approximately five times higher than that among vaccinated children. Among unvaccinated residents aged 65 years or older living in residential care homes for the elderly, the rate of severe complications was approximately four times higher than that among vaccinated residents. Therefore, all people aged 6 months or above, except those with known contraindications, should receive SIV for personal protection as early as possible," he added.
The 2026/27 SIV programmes, including the SIV School Outreach Programme (SIVSOP), commenced on September 17. The SIVSOP this year has introduced a new Electronic Consent Form (e-consent form) feature via eHealth. This new measure not only enables the public to join the SIV Programmes but also streamlines the administrative procedures for healthcare service providers and schools, so that SIV outreach activities can start as early as possible. About 1 000 schools have organised SIV outreach activities. SIV outreach activities are expected to be completed by mid-December, about two weeks earlier than last year.
The health condition of children with influenza can deteriorate rapidly. Parents must pay close attention to their condition and visit an accident and emergency department immediately if the child's condition deteriorates with symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, blue lips, chest pain, confusion, a persistent fever or convulsions. Members of the public should seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop respiratory symptoms. If they live with members of high-risk groups, such as children, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses or compromised immune systems, they should wear a surgical mask at home to reduce the risk of infecting them. Other effective ways to reduce the spread of the disease include maintaining household hygiene, frequently cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, practising good hand hygiene, and ensuring proper indoor air circulation.
Members of the public may refer to the CHP'sCOVID-19 & Flu Express,Seasonal Influenza WebpageandVaccination Schemesfor the latest information.
Source: AI-found images
